Reach Virat Kohli's level first: Kamran Akmal said he advised Babar Azam to not take Pakistan captaincy
India Today
Veteran wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has said that he told Babar Azma to focus on his batting and reach the level of Virat Kohli before becoming Pakistan captain. Azam's captaincy came under scrutiny during the Asia Cup final.
Kamran Akmal has revealed that he advised Babar Azam not to take the Pakistan captaincy and asked him to reach the level of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith when it comes to batting.
Azam has had a good record after taking up the captaincy of the national team and has been doing well. However, criticism was levelled at the tactics employed by the star batter in the final against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
Akmal has now revealed on a YouTube show, as quoted by Hindustan times, that he had told Azam not to take up captaincy and concentrate on his batting.
"During a T20I in Faisalabad when Babar was walking out for the toss, I got to know that he is being made captain. That is when I told him... 'I don't think now is the right time for you to become captain. Give your best performances in the next 2-3 years. The batting line-up is depended on you. Reach Virat Kohli's level first, Steve Smith's level. By then, you would have scored 35-40 centuries and enjoy captaincy. The moment Sarfaraz leaves, you will be next in line. But now is the right time. I told him back in the day but it was his decision. Those who were close to him, must have spoken to him and advised him to take up captaincy," said Akmal.
The veteran wicketkeeper also told Azam to concentrate on his batting at that time. He, however, went on to comment that Pakistan cricket will be going backwards if they decide to remove him as captain now.
"I had also told him to only concentrate on his batting. He was scoring runs and would have continued to do so. The flow was beautiful. People enjoyed watching him bat. With captaincy, there will be pressure, which will affect his batting, his approach. And somewhere, that is visible now. But at the same time removing him as captain right now would be a big blunder on the part of the team management. Pakistan cricket will go back," said Akmal.
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